employ in WordNet English dictionary

1. put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
   "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
   use  utilize  utilise  apply  employ 
   
2. engage or hire for work
   "They hired two new secretaries in the department"; "How many people has she employed?"
   hire  engage  employ 
   

1. the state of being employed or having a job
   "they are looking for employment"; "he was in the employ of the city"
   employment  employ